SummerSing Chorus Newsletter |
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Dear Summer Sing,
What a wonderful first rehearsal! It was a pleasure to hear your beautiful voices, and to see your faces.
Summer Sing is one of my favorite places to be, because its mission is to welcome all who love to sing, regardless of background, experience, or ability. We're all there to make music and cheer each other on as we work! That positive spirit is so important, and is the best environment to become a better musician (and to enjoy life).
I'm so excited about this summer's music. They are all favorites of mine, and each has a different feel:
We've got Afternoon on a Hill - a lush, gorgeous, challenge song. What a rich setting of the beautiful poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay. This poem perfectly captures that feeling of spending the day outdoors, reconnecting with nature and being fully present in it, before having to return to the everyday work of life.
If I Can Help Somebody was originally written (words and music) by Alma Bazel Androzzo, a Black pianist and songwriter from the first half of the 20th century. It was first recorded by Turner Layton in 1946, then made famous by Mahalia Jackson in the 1960s.
Faith, which we didn't get to in our first rehearsal, is a blast of fun, high energy pop music! My high school students absolutely loved this one, written and performed by Stevie Wonder (in collaboration with others, including singing help from Ariana Grande), and I think you will too! It's a blast of pure, upbeat fun.
Turn The World Around by Harry Belafonte is one of those songs which has been in so many parts of my life, it has invaded almost every musical space I've been in. I most certainly first heard it as a child, probably on my parent's record player, and also on The Muppet Show, which included this descriptionof how he was inspired to write the song. Every since, it has been a favorite, and I've sung this song with all different ages and choirs.
Lilizela is a Xhosa song of celebration! I was very impressed with how quickly you picked it up! Yes, I know it got stuck in your head after rehearsal, and yes, I will eventually hand out the lyrics :) I just like to spend some time first learning in the South African tradition - by ear.
Thank you so much to our Summer Sing Steering Committee and those who helped with set up, tear down, and all the organizational work that takes place beforehand. You did a great job making sure we had a smooth first day; we could not have Summer Sing without all you do! This is our first year of having a committee lead the way, so we also need to give a huge thank you to Ed Olmstead, who helped Summer Sing become an official chorus within the Affiliated Choruses of Ithaca this past year, after many years of being considered a "project". Ed has done all the organizational work for Summer Sing himself for many years and is now teaching others so that we can all have a great time making music together! Thank you, Ed, and the Steering Committee, from the bottom of my heart.
I hope you all have a wonderful week until I see you again!
All the best,
Katie
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Rehearsals begin at 7:00 PM sharp. Please be in your seats and ready to sing.
June 10, 17, 24, 30
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 |
The 10 Golden Rules for Choral Singers... |
Why do millions of singers rapturously join the choir rehearsal each week? It's quite simple: Singing together brings joy, releases feelings of happiness, keeps you healthy and promotes the social togetherness.
To maintain this positive feeling in everyday life, the publishing company "Lugert Verlag" has listed 10 golden rules for choral singers, which we want to share with you. Enjoy reading!
- The choir comes first, even if there is so much to do otherwise. Treat yourself to the choral rehearsal as a wellness oasis.
- Sit up straight on the edge of a chair, relax your shoulders, look ahead and smile!
- Be attentive to the rehearsal, listen to the other voices and postpone conversations with your neighbor.
- Be open to new ideas, although even if you initially resist. Trust the conductor; she/he knows what she/ he is doing.
- If something has been bothering you for a long time, talk with the conductor or the choral board after the rehearsal.
- Be well-organized: arrive at rehearsal on time with something to drink and a sharpened pencil, keep an eye on your choral appointments (in your calendar and as printed version in your music case). Arrange all your appointments with your social environment (family, work).
- Offer support and take on responsibility. Big aims are being achieved together.
- Learn something new every day! Listen to choral music, visit concerts of other choirs or join a singing workshop.
- Keep your voice healthy: drink enough, don't harrumph and whisper. During hoarseness: take a break from singing!
- Sing and practice as often as possible – during cutting veggies, driving a car, with your children and during walks in the forest.
Credit: Forte Notensatz/ Lugert Verlag GmbH GmbH & Co. KG |
Links to SummerSing Music... |
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All of the music we are performing this summer, except for Katie's song from South Africa, can be found by following the links found on the SummerSing website.
Bookmark this location and you will be able to listen to and practice each song:
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Voice Exercises and Warmups... |
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Looking for a way to exercise your voice between rehearsals? Cyberbass is free website that has a selection of vocal warmups that play on your computer, smartphone or tablet. You can also purchase CD's with various exercises and warmups if you choose. Go to
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Questions, Comments and Newsletter Items... |
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If you have a question about Summer Sing, comments or suggestions for the newsletter, or have an item for the newsletter (items should be related to the chorus or the local music community), send it to musicinfo@ACIthaca.org. PLEASE - if you have an item for the newsletter, send it in completed form so we can copy and paste - we do not write material for you.
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